Pants

ABSTRACT

A pants-like garment is provided. The garment comprises a left leg, a right leg, an inseam, and a torso region joining the left leg and the right leg. The torso region has a left and right outer edges and a rear seat panel. The rear seat panel comprises a bottom center edge, a left bottom edge, and a right bottom edge. The bottom center edge has left and right ends and is connected to the inseam along its length. The left bottom edge has a first end that joins the left end of the bottom center edge and a second end that joins the left outer edge, the second end being closer to the top of the garment than the first end. The left bottom edge is connected to the left leg portion. The right bottom edge has a first end that joins the right end of the bottom center edge and a second end that joins the right outer edge, the second end being closer to the top of the garment than the first end. The right bottom edge is connected to the right leg portion. The pants-like garment is preferably made of a non-stretchable (e.g., woven) material and does not have a rear center seam. This design provides a reduced pulling effect when the wearer steps up and forward with one leg, while leaving the other leg in a generally vertical position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/185,614; filed Mar. 1, 2000, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to pants that provide enhanced comfort to the wearer.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Rock climbing is rapidly growing in popularity throughout the United States. Climbers prefer attire that is attractive while also comfortable when climbing. Such a garment must permit the wearer to assume various positions while climbing, which are not usually required of non-athletic garments. For example, the wearer should be able to spread his legs to the side at an angle of 180°. Additionally, the wearer should be able to step up and forward with one leg, while leaving the other leg in a generally vertical position. However, when such a position is assumed, the back part of the garment must cover more area. As a result, the garment naturally tends to pull downward at the back of the waist and to ride up and create a bind in the thigh and seat areas in order to compensate for the pull. In conventional garments, this pulling effect is accentuated by a rear center rise seam connected to the center inseam at the middle of the crotch, which must absorb the entire pulling force. A design that eliminates or at least substantially reduces this pulling effect would be highly desirable for climbers and other athletes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides a pant design that overcomes the above drawbacks of traditional pants having a rear center rise seam. The pants have two back off-center seams that intersect with the center inseam to redirect the pulling force away from the middle of the crotch when the wearer lifts one leg forward. As a result, the pants do not tend to ride up on the wearer.

[0005] As used herein, the term “pants” refers to any garment having a torso and leg portions, including garments such as slacks, shorts, overalls and underwear, and not limited to athletic apparel. Preferably the pants are made of a woven fabric including but not limited to contents of cotton, nylon, polyester, rayon, linen, and hemp. Although the inventive design can be used for pants made of stretchable and knit fabrics, it is particularly useful for pants made of non-stretchable fabrics that typically have the drawbacks described above. For woven pants (or pants made of any other non-stretchable fabric) it is important that the seat panel and associated seams are designed to provide a good fit for the user. In contrast, the precise seam design of knit and other stretchable pants is not as critical, as such pants will stretch to fit the user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] These and other features of the advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0007]FIG. 1 is a front view of a pair of pants according to the invention.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a rear view of a pair of pants according to the invention.

[0009]FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the seat panel of the pants of FIG. 2.

[0010]FIG. 4 depicts an alternative seat panel design for a pair of pants in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pants comprise a left leg 10, a right leg 12 and a torso region 14 having a front and back. Throughout this application, the terms “left” and “right” to describe an aspect of the pants refers to that side of the pants that would be worn on the left or right side of the user's body. The left leg 10 is formed from a front left leg portion 16 and a rear left leg portion 18. The front left leg portion 16 and rear left leg portion 18 each having leg areas, which form the left leg 10. Additionally, the front left leg portion 16 has a trunk area, which forms the left side of the front torso region 14. In the depicted embodiment, the front left leg portion 16 and rear left leg portion 18 are connected to each other by an inseam 20 and a left outer seam 21. As would be recognized by one skilled in the art, if desired, the front and rear left leg portions 16 and 18 could be formed of a single piece of material, thereby replacing the outer seam 21 with a fold at the edge of the pants.

[0012] In a similar manner, the right leg 12 is formed from a front right leg portion 22 and a rear right leg portion 24. The front right leg portion 22 and a rear right leg portion 24 each have leg areas, which form the right leg 12. Additionally, the front right leg portion 22 has a trunk area, which forms the right side of the front torso region 14. In the depicted embodiment, the front right leg portion 22 and a rear right leg portion 24 are connected to each other also by inseam 20 and by a right outer seam 23. Like the left leg portions described above, the front and rear right leg portions 22 and 24 could be formed of a single piece of material if desired.

[0013] The front of the torso region 14 is formed by the tops of the front left leg portion 16 and front right leg portion 22, as discussed above. In the depicted embodiment, the front left leg portion 16 and front right leg portion 22 are connected to each other by a front center seam 25. As would be recognized by one skilled in the art, the front of the torso region 14 can have any other suitable design, preferably that does not significantly detract from the objectives of the invention. For example, the front left leg portion 16 and front right leg portion 22 could be formed of a single piece of material so that no front center seam 25 is necessary. However, it is preferred that the front of the torso region 14 does not have a design similar to the back of the torso region 14, described below, because such a symmetrical arrangement will not provide the comfort advantages discussed above, namely, the reduced pulling effect that results from the wearer stepping up and forward with one leg, while leaving the other leg in a generally vertical position.

[0014] The back of the torso region 14 comprises a seat panel 26 that is preferably generally symmetrical. As shown in FIG. 3, the seat panel 26 comprises a slightly-curved bottom center edge 32 and left and right bottom angled edges 34 and 36. The generally straight bottom center edge 32 is connected to the front left and right leg portions 16 and 22 at the center of the inseam 20, i.e., at the center of the crotch. The generally straight bottom center edge 32 preferably has a length ranging from about 0.5 inch to about 5 inches, more preferably from about 1 inch to about 3.5 inches, still more preferably from about 1.5 inches to 3 inches.

[0015] The left and right bottom edges 34 and 36 are connected to the left and right rear leg portions 18 and 24, respectively. Thus, the pants have two back off-center seams to redirect the pulling force away from the middle of the crotch when the wearer lifts one leg forward.

[0016] The left bottom edge has a first end 34 a that joins the left side of the bottom center edge and a second end 34 b that joins the left outer seam 21 (or left outer edge of the pants). The second end 34 b is higher on the pants, i.e., closer to the top of the pants, than the first end 34 a, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Similarly, the right bottom edge has a first end 36 a that joins the right side of the bottom center edge and a second end 36 b that joins the right outer seam 23 (or right outer edge of the pants). The second end 36 b is higher on the pants than the first end 36 a.

[0017] Preferably the left and right bottom edges 34 and 36 each join the slightly-curved bottom center edge 32 at angle α ranging from about 45° to about 110°, more preferably ranging from about 70° to about 100°, still more preferably ranging from about 85° to about 95°.

[0018] In a particularly preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the left and right bottom edges 34 and 36 each are generally-straight near their first ends 34 a and 36 a, curve outward to form a concave curve, and then have a region that is generally straight or that forms a slightly convex curve their second ends 34 b and 36 b, which meet the outer seams 21 and 23. The bottom edges 34 and 36 can have any other suitable shape such that the second ends 34 b and 36 b are closer to the top of the pants than the first ends 34 a and 36 a. For example, the bottom edges 34 and 36 can be formed without the generally-straight regions near the first ends 34 a and 36 a so that they are curved along their entire length, or they can be formed from two or more generally-straight lines angled relative to each other. Preferably the second ends 34 b and 36 b are at an angle β relative to the slightly-curved bottom center edge 32 ranging from about 40° to about 65°, more preferably from about 45° to about 60°, even more preferably about 50°.

[0019] The seat panel 26 further comprises generally-straight left and right side edges 38 and 40 and atop edge 42. The generally-straight left and right side edges 38 and 40 are connected to the left and right front leg portions 16 and 22, respectively, at the outer seam. The top edge 42 corresponds to the top of the back of the pants or meets a waistband of the pants, if provided.

[0020] In the depicted embodiment, the pants have a waistband 44 formed from a piece of fabric connected to the top edge 42 of the seat panel 26 and the top edges of the left and right front leg portions 16 and 22. An elastic fabric extends within the waistband and has its two ends connected to an adjustable closure for adjusting the size of the waist of the garment. As would be recognized by one skilled in the art, any mechanism for fastening the pants, such as a zipper, button, snap and/or VELCRO fly, could be used in addition to or instead of the elastic fabric and adjustable closure.

[0021] If desired, the seat panel 26 can be formed of multiple pieces. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the seat panel 26 comprises three pieces, a center seat panel 48, a left seat panel 50, and a right seat panel 52. The center seat panel 48 is generally similar in design as the seat panel 26 described above, comprising a slightly-curved bottom center edge 32, left and right bottom angled edges 34 and 36, left and right side edges 38 and 40 and a top edge 42. The left and right seat panels 50 and 52 are each generally quadrilaterally-shaped. The left seat panel 50 is connected to the left side edge 38 of the center seat panel 48 and the left outer seam 21. Similarly, the right seat panel 52 is connected to the right side edge 40 of the center seat panel 48 and the right outer seam 23. Any other multiple-piece seat panel design could also be provided, so long as the seat panel as a whole is generally shaped as described above, namely, with a slightly-curved bottom center edge 32 and left and right bottom angled edges 34 and 36. Unless otherwise indicated, as used herein, the term “seat panel” refers to both single-piece and multi-piece panels having this design.

[0022] The preceding description has been presented with reference to presently preferred embodiments of the invention. Workers skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structure may be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principal, spirit and scope of this invention.

[0023] Accordingly, the foregoing description should not be read as pertaining only to the precise structures described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but rather should be read consistent with and as support to the following claims which are to have their fullest and fair scope. 

1. In a pants-like garment made of a non-stretchable material and having a top, an inseam, left and right leg portions, and left and right outer edges, the improvement comprising a rear seat panel having: a bottom center edge having left and right ends and connected to the inseam along its length; a left bottom edge having a first end that joins the left end of the bottom center edge and a second end that joins the left outer edge, the second end being closer to the top of the garment than the first end, wherein the left bottom edge is connected to the left leg portion; and a right bottom edge having a first end that joins the right end of the bottom center edge and a second end that joins the right outer edge, the second end being closer to the top of the garment than the first end, wherein the right bottom edge is connected to the right leg portion.
 2. A pants-like garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is made of a woven material.
 3. A pants-like garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment does not have a rear center rise seam.
 4. A pants-like garment according to claim 1, wherein each of the left and right bottom edges has a generally-straight inner portion near its first end, an outer portion that is generally straight or that forms a slightly convex curve near its second end, and a concave curve between the inner portion and the outer portion.
 5. In a pants-like garment made of a non-stretchable material and having a crotch and left and right leg portions, the improvement comprising two back off-center seams that join a seat panel to the left and right leg portions and that redirect a pulling force away from the middle of the crotch when a person wearing the garment lifts one of his legs forward.
 6. A pants-like garment according to claim 5, wherein the garment is made of a woven material.
 7. A pants-like garment according to claim 5, wherein the garment does not have a rear center rise seam.
 8. A pants-like garment made of a non-stretchable material and comprising: a left leg; a right leg; an inseam; a torso regionjoining the left leg and the right leg, the torso region having left and right outer edges and a rear seat panel comprising: a bottom center edge having left and right ends and connected to the inseam along its length, a left bottom edge having a first end that joins the left end of the bottom center edge and a second end that joins the left outer edge, the second end being closer to the top of the garment than the first end, wherein the left bottom edge is connected to the left leg portion; and a right bottom edge having a first end that joins the right end of the bottom center edge and a second end that joins the right outer edge, the second end being closer to the top of the garment than the first end, wherein the right bottom edge is connected to the right leg portion.
 9. A pants-like garment according to claim 8, wherein the garment does not have a rear center rise seam.
 10. A pants-like garment according to claim 8, wherein the torso region has a front center seam.
 11. A pants-like garment according to claim 8, wherein the garment is made of a woven material.
 12. A pants-like garment comprising: a left leg; a right leg; an inseam; a torso region joining the left leg and the right leg, the torso region having a front center seam, left and right outer edges, and a rear seat panel comprising: a bottom center edge having left and right ends and connected to the inseam along its length, a left bottom edge having a first end that joins the left end of the bottom center edge and a second end that joins the left outer edge, the second end being closer to the top of the garment than the first end, wherein the left bottom edge is connected to the left leg portion; and a right bottom edge having a first end that joins the right end of the bottom center edge and a second end that joins the right outer edge, the second end being closer to the top of the garment than the first end, wherein the right bottom edge is connected to the right leg portion.
 13. A pants-like garment according to claim 12, wherein the garment does not have a rear center rise seam.
 14. A pants-like garment according to claim 12, wherein the garment is made of a woven material.
 15. A pants-like garment comprising: a left leg; a right leg; an inseam; a torso regionjoining the left leg and the right leg, the torso region having left and right outer edges and a rear seat panel comprising: a bottom center edge having left and right ends and connected to the inseam along its length, a left bottom edge having a first end that joins the left end of the bottom center edge and a second end that joins the left outer edge, the second end being closer to the top of the garment than the first end, a generally-straight inner portion near its first end, an outer portion that is generally straight or that forms a slightly convex curve near its second end, and a concave curve between the inner portion and the outer portion, wherein the left bottom edge is connected to the left leg portion; and a right bottom edge having a first end that joins the right end of the bottom center edge and a second end that joins the right outer edge, the second end being closer to the top of the garment than the first end, a generally-straight inner portion near its first end, an outer portion that is generally straight or that forms a slightly convex curve near its second end, and a concave curve between the inner portion and the outer portion, wherein the right bottom edge is connected to the right leg portion.
 16. A pants-like garment according to claim 15, wherein the garment does not have a rear center rise seam.
 17. A pants-like garment according to claim 15, wherein the torso region has a front center seam.
 18. A pants-like garment according to claim 15, wherein the garment is made of a woven material. 